FORKS — A Forks man has been arrested for investigation of first-degree child molestation of a girl younger than 12 years old.
Bail of $50,000 was set Monday in Clallam County Superior Court for Jonathan N. Wasankari, 46, who remained in the county jail Monday afternoon.
A formal charge is expected to be filed at a 1 p.m. hearing Wednesday in Superior Court.
The incident allegedly occurred Thursday, according to Clallam Sheriff’s Deputy David Fletcher’s arrest report.
Wasankari, who denied the allegation, was booked at 10:13 p.m. Friday into the Clallam County jail.
The girl was acting differently after being with Wasankari at his home and told her mother he had touched her sexually while talking about bras, the mother said.
Fletcher said there was probable cause to arrest Wasankari based on interviews with Wasankari, the girl, her mother and another individual.
Wasankari said the individual was with him when he was with the girl.
According to Fletcher’s report, that person denied being present with Wasankari and the girl.
Fletcher also said Wasankari could not recall that Fletcher had contacted him Thursday in a separate investigation.
First-degree child molestation is a Class A felony that occurs when a person has sexual contact with someone younger than 12 and is at least three years older than the victim.
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Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 55650, or at pgottlieb@ peninsuladailynews.com.
